When searching for a deeper understanding of the personality types, it is important to understand each one of their functions. While we often focus on the dominant and even inferior functions, knowing the auxiliary and tertiary ones are also vital. It is not just about knowing what functions each type possesses but rather how these functions behave within the stack. When a function is dominant it will present differently than when it is auxiliary, and so understanding this is truly important if you want to understand each personality type. Knowing each function on it’s own doesn’t really give you a true comprehension of how the personality type is going to utilize that function. Instead you need to learn more about the placement of each function and how it corresponds with each personality type.

INFJs are easily seen as complex people, often confusing those around them without meaning to. They can seem to contradict themselves, being or possessing two opposing qualities at the same time. This makes it hard for people to understand them sometimes, and can even make the INFJ feel a bit lonely. The important thing is to work towards learning how the INFJs functions help them to process and respond to information and the world around them. Just knowing their dominant function is not going to help you gain real insight into how the INFJ operates. Learning about their auxiliary function is also vital, since it plays an important role in how the INFJ utilizes that dominant Ni. Of course just knowing someone’s functions is not going to help you understand who they are, but it can help break down some walls and build an easier means of communicating with one another.

How Fe Works

Extraverted feeling is focused on the emotions and needs of others, making it a very outward and more obvious function. Dominant Fe users are often viewed as social people, placing them as the hosts and hostesses of the personality types. This function causes their main drive to be the needs of those around them, both practical and emotional needs. They are also very aware of what people are feeling and pay close attention to their emotions and behaviors. They can pick up on when something is wrong or when someone just isn’t behaving as they normally do. This causes the Fe user to search for ways to help those around them, wanting to find ways to ease their struggles and find ways to make things better for them. They are very determined to care for everyone, often juggling many tasks all at once because of it. The Fe dominant person is often very charismatic, knowing how to adapt to those around them. They are good at adjusting to their environment and can easily read how they should behave in certain situations.

Being a Fe user often causes people to be good at reading social norms and know how to best respond to people and environments. They can pick up on when things change or when they need to adjust their behavior to fit what is expected. This also helps them in many work environments, since they are capable of anticipating the needs and expectations of those around them and above them. Fe dominant people are often amazing at figuring out how to handle work environments, and are great in customer service roles. Being someone who is naturally in tune with the emotions and needs of others makes it much easier for them to respond to those around them and figure out how to make them happy.

Auxiliary Fe in INFJs

The auxiliary function of the INFJ actually comes out rather strongly, and is what most people recognize at first glance. Since it is their first extraverted function in their stack, their Fe stands out and is more openly noticed than their actual dominant Ni. For the INFJ extraverted feeling is what pushes them to feel so connected to the world and the people around them. While they have their own rich inner world which keeps them preoccupied most of the time, their Fe helps connect them with others in the present. They feel a strong desire to help others, especially the people they care about the most. INFJs are in tune with the emotions and needs of people, naturally being able to feel when something is wrong. Their Fe helps the INFJ be truly in tune with what other people need, often knowing their emotions before they do. This is because they pick up on little changes, and are capable of noticing when something is wrong with someone they are close to. This function is very much focused on other people and helps the INFJ make certain choices in life. Since they care about helping others this can actually dictate a lot of future plans, wanting to be sure that they don’t negatively affect those closest to them.

Their extraverted feeling also connects with the INFJs dominant introverted intuition. This helps to aid their dominant function, working to find a goal for those future predictions and the information they gather over time. The INFJ is often picking up details and information from the people around them, noticing the smallest of changes and behaviors from being so in touch with their emotions and needs. When those functions work together it helps the INFJ to piece together a puzzle of sorts, making predictions about the most likely future outcomes because of this knowledge. Their focus can often be towards helping others and ensuring that they make the right choices for the people they love. They are also good at seeing the best path and choices for someone close to them, and want to do their best to help and give positive advice because of this. They are often seen as amazing listeners and supportive friends, always wanting to be there for the people they love and even people outside of their circle.